Hyundai has officially launched its highly anticipated flagship electric SUV, the Ioniq 9, in Australia. As the crown jewel of the award-winning IONIQ range, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 offers a luxurious, lounge-like cabin, cutting-edge tech, and a WLTP-certified driving range of 600km.
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 arrives in a single, highly specified Calligraphy grade, priced from $119,750 (MLP). Available in 6- or 7-seat configurations, the SUV delivers premium features expected from that price tag, and this is the most expensive Hyundai-badged car yet.
Exterior design and aerodynamic efficiency
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 showcases Hyundai’s ‘Aerosthetic’ design language—combining aerodynamic efficiency with bold, upscale styling. This philosophy also maximises interior space across all three rows.
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Front Design Highlights:
- Parametric Pixel lighting system with a transparent surface overlay for a refined, high-tech appearance
- Circuit board-inspired front garnish housing front sensors
- Grille-less front end that maintains clean lines and houses driver-assistance systems discreetly
Side Profile Features:
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- Crisp, uninterrupted character line along the entire length of the vehicle for a large glass area
- Bold wheel arches adding visual stability
- Alloy-effect D-pillar exclusive to Calligraphy grade for a sporty edge
- 21-inch machined alloy wheels for a premium stance
Rear Design Elements:
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- Boat-tail rear profile enhancing both aerodynamics and cargo space
- Wide Parametric Pixel taillights for a strong rear signature
- Integrated rear diffuser contributing to a clean finish
Aerodynamic Enhancements:
- Curved roofline and smooth corners for improved airflow
- Aero wheel design to reduce drag
- 3D-shaped undercovers at the front and rear battery area to optimise underbody airflow
- Dual-motion Active Air Flap to minimise air leakage and reduce resistance from cooling systems
How premium is the interior of the Hyundai Ioniq 9?
The Hyundai Ioniq 9’s cabin builds on the advantages of Hyundai’s dedicated E-GMP EV platform, featuring a flat-floor design that creates a spacious, open environment suitable for families or long-distance travel.
Cabin space and seating dimensions
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 offers generous dimensions across all three rows:
| Measurement | 1st Row | 2nd Row | 3rd Row |
| Headroom | 1,005mm | 996mm | 1,000mm |
| Shoulder Room | 1,560mm | 1,550mm | 1,398mm |
| Legroom | 1,052mm | 1,086mm | 813mm |
The second-row seats feature one-touch sliding and tilting for easier access to the final row which is designed to accommodate adult passengers, albeit more comfortably for shorter journeys.
Features and seating
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 features a comfort-oriented list of cabin amenities for its largest electric SUV yet.
Key Interior Features:
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- Universal Island 2.0 Console (6-seater): A sliding centre console that moves both ways (up to 190mm).
- Sliding Tray: A pull-out drawer under the front armrest provides extra storage space for passengers in the back.
- Rotary Shift Selector: A column-mounted rotary gear selector with a built-in start button helps keep the front area tidy.
- UV-C Sterilisation Console: A UV light system in the front console can help reduce germs on small personal items like keys or sunglasses.
Seating and Comfort:
- Relaxation Seats: The front seats can recline with one touch to provide a resting position. This feature is also available for second-row seats in the 6-seater version.
- Rear Seat Adjustment from Front: Front passengers can adjust the rear seats using the touchscreen, helping to set a comfortable position for other passengers.
- Motorised Third Row Folding: The third-row seats can be folded flat into the floor at the touch of a button, and the headrests fold automatically to make it quicker and easier.
Performance and Ride: Powertrain, Chassis and Refinement in Focus
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is built upon Hyundai’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), same as the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, specifically engineered for battery electric vehicles. Here’s a quick summary of the powertrain configuration :
| Specification | Figure |
| Battery | 110.3kWh |
| Power | 314kW |
| Torque | 700Nm |
| Range | 600km (WLTP) |
| 0–100 km/h | 5.2 seconds |
| 80–120 km/h | 3.4 seconds |
What’s for safety in Hyundai Ioniq 9?
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is equipped with a wide range of safety technologies focusing on driver assistance, and occupant protection.
Structural and airbag safety
It comes with 10 airbags, including a front centre side airbag and a driver’s knee airbag. Reinforced side structures and thicker components are designed to reduce cabin deformation in the event of a collision.
Hyundai SmartSense Driver Assistance Suite
Standard across the range, SmartSense offers a full suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including:
- Forward Collision-avoidance Assist 2 (FCA 2)
- Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2)
- Lane Following Assist 2 (LFA 2) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
- Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance-Assist (BCA) and Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM)
- Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) and Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCA)
- Safe Exit Assist (SEA)
- Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 (RSPA 2)
- Surround View Monitor (SVM)
- Rear Occupant Alert (ROA)
- Smart Cruise Control 2 (SCC 2) and Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC)
- Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA)
- High Beam Assist (HBA)
Cabin comfort and connected convenience
Inside, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 is equipped with dual integrated 12.3-inch screens, featuring Hyundai’s Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) system. This infotainment setup is designed to integrate connectivity, personalisation, and remote updates.
Key features include:
- AI voice recognition
- Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates
- Personalised profiles
- Quick control interface
This combination of safety and convenience features positions the IONIQ 9 as a technologically advanced large SUV aimed at families and tech-savvy drivers alike.
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 also supports Over-the-Air (OTA) updates, allowing remote updates to vehicle systems such as braking, safety, and driver assistance—reducing the need for service centre visits.
Pricing and aftersales support
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 Calligraphy AWD is priced at $119,750 (Manufacturer’s List Price, including LCT but excluding on-road costs). Available options include:
- 6-seat configuration: $2,000
- Digital side mirrors: $3,000
- Premium paint (metallic/pearl): $750
- Matte paint: $1,000
As part of Hyundai’s iCare ownership program, Ioniq 9 buyers benefit from:
- 5-year/unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty
- 8-year/160,000km high-voltage battery warranty
- Lifetime Service Plan with transparent pricing
- Premium roadside assistance
- Satellite navigation updates while servicing at authorised Hyundai centres
Two key service intervals are priced as follows:
| Interval | KM | Cost (incl. GST) |
| 24 months | 30,000 | $660 |
| 48 months | 60,000 | $685 |
Together, these ownership and connectivity features are aimed at offering a seamless, long-term experience for IONIQ 9 drivers, reinforcing Hyundai’s commitment to technology, reliability and customer care.
Final thoughts
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 enters Australia’s EV market,targeting the premium end of the segment, positioning itself alongside other large electric SUVs. Its price only just undercuts its sibling, the top-of-the-line Kia EV9 GT-Line while being more affordable than the more luxuriously equipped Zeekr 009.
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